[CIVIL WAR]. Sergeant Francis M.G. Melton, Company B, 130th Indiana Volunteer Infantry Regiment. Autographed letter referencing a corps badge. Charlotte, NC, 21 August 1865.

4 pages, 7 3/4 x 12 1/2 in., creased, with discoloration to creases. With the war having just ended 3 months earlier and the regiment still serving at Charlotte, Sergeant Melton does not share much war news in this letter and instead writes at length about his children, his reasons for going to war, his admiration for his company captain, and his corps badge. Melton writes, "Enclosed is my corps badge you will take good care of it I know but I do not want you to lay it away but wear it on your left breast as I wear it on mine it is nothing beautiful or fine it is only silver but it has been where I hope and pray that you or it or myself will (not) have to be again that is in battle where the deadly cannon sends forth its death dealing shot and shells. it has shone forth in the skirmish line where they shoot to kill but I am happy to say that the time (of) blood and carnage is over and no (one) is more ready to say that I am glad of it not hat I would be afraid to go through the same again but I have no wish to do so. You may not understand the meaning of the Badge I will explain it. The shape is called a shield the shield is made to represent the 23d Army Corps. and the Corps was divided into three divisions represented by the three National Colors viz. red, white, and blue. and as you will see the small shield in the center is or was red. it is made to represent the 1st Div. so the whole things is made to represent the 1st Div. 23d A.C."

Melton goes on to explain why he is sending the badge, writing, "Well as the Army Corps is disorganized and in consequence the 1st Div. was also disbanded I do not need the Badge to show where I belong so with many wishes for its safe arrival and hoping that you will cherish it as dearly as I do. and that you will wear it with as much pride as I did..."

After serving with his regiment from its inception in August of 1863 and the campaigns through Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina, Sergeant Melton was finally mustered out on December 2, 1865, and returned home to reunite with his wife and beloved corps badge.

The Civil War Collection of James C. Frasca